Microsoft employees set new charitable giving record: $113M to 19K non-profits in 2013

Microsoft employees donated more money than ever in 2013, raising $113 million for 19,123 non-profit organizations and charitable causes. Last year also marked the third consecutive year that employees from Microsoft donated at least $100 million.

Blitz at an MS Walk event earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Ryan Asdourian, a Microsoft employee who doubles as Blitz on Seahawk Sundays.

Microsoft matches employee donations up to $15,000 per year, at 1:1 for cash donations and $17 per hour for volunteer time. More than 460,000 volunteer hours were logged last year, which resulted in $7.8 million of donations. Also in 2013, Microsoft decided to give $50 to new employees for a nonprofit of their choice.

“The past year has been a busy one at Microsoft – and not just because of new products, a new acquisition and a new CEO,” wrote Brad Smith, Microsoft’s general counsel. “It has also been a busy time for our employees and their support of the nonprofit community.”

Aside from individual donations, Microsoft helps employees give back with a variety of programs. Photographers@Microsoft,for example, is a book of photos taken by employees, with $75 from each book purchase going to the United Way Worldwide. There’s also the annual online auction that features items like a stretch of Microsoft Way renamed after the highest bidder and breakfast at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo with the twin sloth bear cubs. Or, employees can support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society with Ryan Asdourian, a Microsoft vet who also works as the Seahawks mascot and organizes the annual Team Blitz Walk MS and the Team Blitz Pub Crawl.

Microsoft has donated more than $1 billion to charity since 1983. Smith has said in the past that the company sees its reputation as a charitable organization as a recruiting tool.

Taylor Soper is a GeekWire staff reporter who covers a wide variety of tech assignments, including emerging startups in Seattle and Portland, the sharing economy and the intersection of technology and sports. Follow him @taylor_soper and email taylor@geekwire.com.